INTERNET GUIDE
Internet Providers in North Carolina
North Carolina’s fast-growing metros often have more competitive home internet choices, while mountain hollows and rural coastal communities can face fewer options and tougher last-mile buildouts. When comparing plans, check your exact address and weigh upload capacity and reliability carefully—especially if you work in research, finance, education, or manufacturing.
Speed Availability in North Carolina
Maximum download speeds available by census block
gigabit speeds available
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection · 190,561 census blocks analyzed
North Carolina Broadband at a Glance
- North Carolina will receive $1,532,602,883 in federal BEAD funding for statewide high-speed internet expansion. [Source]
- North Carolina’s 2023 broadband survey found 13% of households lacked home internet, disproportionately affecting rural and low-income communities. [Source]
- Brightspeed is investing $2 billion to deploy fiber to 1 million North Carolina homes and businesses over five years. [Source]
- Wilson launched Greenlight, North Carolina’s first municipal fiber network, in 2008, creating a local provider alternative. [Source]
North Carolina’s Internet Landscape
North Carolina’s internet history grew from research and education networks rather than from a single commercial system. The nonprofit Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC), established in 1980, developed the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), linking universities, laboratories, and schools. NCREN became part of the national NSFNET research backbone in the 1980s, helping connect institutions in the Research Triangle Park region and elsewhere before commercial internet service was widely available. Research Triangle Park, founded in 1959, provided a concentration of technology companies, universities, and telecommunications users that supported early networking. During the 1990s, dial-up providers and emerging commercial ISPs expanded access, followed by cable modem and DSL service from companies including Time Warner Cable, BellSouth, GTE, and their successors. Broadband adoption accelerated in the 2000s, although deployment followed population density and existing telephone and cable infrastructure.
Find Your City
Internet by City in North Carolina
Internet availability varies significantly by address. Select your city to see which providers serve your area and compare options.
Major Cities
Charlotte
Pop. 911,311Charlotte, North Carolina, has 21 internet providers serving its population of 911,311, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with speeds reaching up to 8.0 Gbps; fiber internet is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Raleigh
Pop. 482,295Raleigh, North Carolina, has 13 internet providers serving a population of 482,295, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless options available. Google Fiber and AT&T are among the providers offering coverage, while maximum available speeds reach 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and technology options.
Greensboro
Pop. 302,296Greensboro residents can choose among 11 internet providers, including AT&T, Lumos, and Spectrum, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service available. Fiber connections reach speeds up to 5.0 Gbps in some locations, but availability varies by neighborhood, so check your specific address to compare plans and confirm service.
Durham
Pop. 296,186Durham, North Carolina, has 14 internet providers serving its population of 296,186, with Google Fiber, Frontier, and AT&T among the providers offering service. Residents can find fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available plans and technologies.
Winston-Salem
Pop. 252,975Winston-Salem, home to 252,975 residents, has 16 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum, with service delivered through fiber, cable, and fixed wireless networks. Fiber is available, and advertised speeds reach up to 6.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.
Fayetteville
Pop. 209,749Fayetteville, North Carolina, has 13 internet providers, including Metronet Holdings and Spectrum, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless options. Fiber service is available, and speeds can reach up to 5.1 Gbps; enter your specific address to check which providers and plans are available.
Cary
Pop. 180,010Cary, North Carolina, has 10 internet providers serving its population of 180,010, with Google Fiber and AT&T among the providers offering service. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available plans and speeds.
Wilmington
Pop. 122,698Wilmington, North Carolina, has 8 internet providers serving its 122,698 residents, with AT&T and Spectrum among the providers offering the most coverage. Options include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless, with maximum available speeds up to 5.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.
Mid-Size Cities
Asheville
Pop. 95,056Asheville, home to 95,056 residents, has 14 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum, with service delivered through fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections. Fiber is available, and speeds reach up to 5.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.
Greenville
Pop. 90,053Greenville, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving a population of 90,053, with options that include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless. Metronet Holdings and Brightspeed are among the providers with broad coverage, and plans reach speeds up to 5.1 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and service options.
Gastonia
Pop. 83,942Gastonia, North Carolina, has 10 internet providers serving its population of 83,942, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; fiber service is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm providers, technologies, and speeds.
Jacksonville
Pop. 72,879Jacksonville, North Carolina, has seven internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum advertised speeds reaching 5.1 Gbps. Metronet Holdings and Brightspeed are among the providers with broad coverage, while Spectrum also serves the area; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Apex
Pop. 72,225Apex, North Carolina, with 72,225 residents, has 13 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service. Google Fiber and AT&T are among the providers with coverage, and available speeds reach up to 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm service options and speeds.
Huntersville
Pop. 64,688Huntersville, North Carolina, is home to 64,688 residents and has 12 internet providers, including Google Fiber and AT&T. Residents can choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless services, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm current provider and technology availability.
Chapel Hill
Pop. 62,043Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has 14 internet providers serving its population of 62,043, with Google Fiber, AT&T, and Spectrum among the providers with broad coverage. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and plans.
Burlington
Pop. 60,032Burlington, North Carolina, is home to 60,032 residents and 15 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 5.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm which providers, technologies, and speeds are available at your location.
Wake Forest
Pop. 54,337Wake Forest, North Carolina, is home to 54,337 residents and 13 internet providers, including AT&T, Spectrum, and Brightspeed. Residents can choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with advertised speeds reaching up to 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm which providers, technologies, and speeds are available.
Rocky Mount
Pop. 54,245Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving its population of 54,245, with Brightspeed and Optimum among the providers offering service. Residents may find fiber, cable, or fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 5.1 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability.
Mooresville
Pop. 53,721Mooresville, North Carolina, has 12 internet providers serving its population of 53,721, with options from TDS Telecom and AT&T. Residents may find fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; fiber is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm providers, technology, and speeds.
Hickory
Pop. 44,415Hickory, North Carolina, has 12 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless services, with speeds reaching up to 5.1 Gbps. Metronet Holdings, AT&T, and Spectrum provide broad coverage across the city, including fiber availability. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Smaller Communities
Waxhaw
Waxhaw, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving its population of 23,073, including Windstream North Carolina, LLC, Ripple Fiber, and Spectrum among those with the broadest coverage. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm plans and installation options.
Clemmons
Clemmons, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving its population of 22,159, with AT&T and Spectrum among the providers offering broad coverage. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with maximum advertised speeds reaching 6.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Shelby
Shelby, North Carolina, with a population of 22,010, has 11 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum. Available connections use fiber, cable, or fixed wireless technology, with speeds reaching up to 5.0 Gbps; fiber service is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Mebane
Mebane, North Carolina, with 20,212 residents, has 15 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service. Lumos and Spectrum are among the providers with broad coverage, and plans can reach up to 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
More Cities in North Carolina
High Point • Concord • Fuquay-Varina • Monroe • Salisbury • Garner • Goldsboro • Cornelius • New Bern • Sanford • Morrisville • Leland • Statesville • Clayton • Kernersville • Asheboro
Provider Guide
North Carolina Internet Providers
Statewide Players
T-Mobile
732 citiesT-Mobile Home Internet is available in approximately 732 North Carolina cities and uses licensed fixed wireless technology, with maximum speeds of up to 100 Mbps. It can work well for households needing broadband in areas without wired service, but availability and performance vary by address, so check whether fiber or DSL options are available before signing up.
View T-Mobile detailsVerizon
667 citiesVerizon offers licensed fixed wireless internet in approximately 667 North Carolina cities, with maximum advertised speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. It may work well for households seeking fast connectivity where wired options are limited, but technology and availability vary by address, so check Verizon’s coverage and plan options for your location before signing up.
View Verizon detailsSpectrum
653 citiesSpectrum internet is available in approximately 653 cities across North Carolina, with cable and fiber options offering speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It works well for streaming, gaming, remote work, and households with multiple connected devices, but performance and available plans can vary between cable and fiber service. Check your address to confirm the available technology, speeds, and pricing before signing up.
View Spectrum detailsAT&T
578 citiesAT&T internet is available in approximately 578 North Carolina cities, using copper, fiber, and licensed fixed wireless technologies, with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps where fiber is available. It can work well for households with basic connectivity needs as well as those seeking high-speed service for streaming, gaming, or multiple users, but availability and performance vary by address. Check your address to see whether fiber, copper-based DSL, or fixed wireless service is offered before choosing a plan.
View AT&T detailsBrightspeed
491 citiesBrightspeed offers copper, fiber internet service across 491 locations with speeds up to 2.0 Gbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.
View Brightspeed detailsOpenBroadband LLC
148 citiesOpenBroadband LLC offers lbr fixed wireless internet service across 148 locations with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.
OpenBroadband LLCRegional Providers
Vyve Broadband
26 citiesVyve Broadband offers cable and fiber internet in approximately 26 North Carolina cities, covering about 47% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It can work well for households that stream, game, work from home, or connect multiple devices, though performance and upload speeds may differ between cable and fiber service. Check your address to confirm availability, technology type, and current plan options.
Vyve BroadbandPANGAEA Internet
24 citiesPANGAEA Internet provides fiber service in approximately 24 North Carolina cities, covering about 44% of the state, with speeds up to 500 Mbps. Its fiber plans may work well for households that stream, work remotely, or connect multiple devices; check whether fiber service is available at your address before signing up.
PANGAEA InternetMediacom Bolt
21 citiesMediacom Bolt internet service is available in approximately 21 North Carolina cities, covering about 38% of the state, and uses licensed fixed wireless technology with speeds up to 100 Mbps. It may work well for households seeking moderate-speed internet in areas without wired options, so check your address for availability and ask about other technologies, such as fiber or DSL, before choosing a plan.
Mediacom BoltComporium Brevard
19 citiesComporium Brevard provides internet service in approximately 19 North Carolina cities, covering about 35% of the state, with cable, copper, and fiber technologies and speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. It can work well for households, remote workers, and businesses, though performance and availability vary by technology—fiber generally offers the strongest performance, while cable or copper may be the available option in some areas. Check your address for available service types and current speeds before choosing a plan.
Comporium BrevardZito Media
18 citiesZito Media internet service is available in approximately 18 North Carolina cities, covering about 33% of the state, with cable and fiber options offering speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It can work well for households that stream, game, work remotely, or connect multiple devices, but performance and available technology vary by address—check your location to see whether cable or fiber service is offered.
Zito MediaGreenlight
17 citiesGreenlight provides fiber internet service in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber network can work well for households that stream, work from home, game, or connect multiple devices, so check your address for availability and current plan options.
GreenlightSurry Telephone Membership Corp.
17 citiesSurry Telephone Membership Corp. provides internet service in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with copper and fiber technologies and speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It may work well for households and businesses seeking local service, but availability and performance can vary by address, especially between fiber and copper connections. Check your address to confirm the available technology and speed before signing up.
Surry Telephone Membership Corp.Windstream
17 citiesWindstream internet is available in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It can work well for households that need fiber for streaming, gaming, or multiple users, while copper service may offer different speeds and performance; check your address to confirm which technology and plan are available.
WindstreamLocal Options
Foothills Broadband
5 citiesFoothills Broadband provides fiber internet service in approximately five North Carolina cities, covering about 9% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It may suit households that stream, work from home, or connect multiple devices, so check your address for fiber availability and confirm current plans before subscribing.
Foothills BroadbandEastern Shore Communications
5 citiesEastern Shore Communications offers fiber internet service in approximately five North Carolina cities, covering about 9% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber connection may work well for households with multiple users, streaming, gaming, or remote work; check your address to confirm service availability and the exact plan options before signing up.
Eastern Shore CommunicationsOcracoke Cable TV LLC
4 citiesOcracoke Cable TV LLC provides cable internet service in approximately four North Carolina cities, covering about 7% of the state, with speeds up to 10 Mbps. It may work well for light browsing, email, and basic streaming; check your address for availability and whether fiber, DSL, or another provider offers faster service before subscribing.
Ocracoke Cable TV LLCLocality Networks Inc
3 citiesLocality Networks Inc offers fiber internet in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber service may work well for households, remote workers, and businesses that need fast, reliable connectivity, but availability and speeds can vary by address. Check your address for fiber availability and current plan options before signing up.
Locality Networks IncPiedmont Communications
3 citiesPiedmont Communications offers cable internet in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its service may work well for households that stream, game, or work from home, though cable performance can vary by location and fiber or DSL options may be available from other providers. Check your address for availability, pricing, and the fastest technology option before signing up.
Piedmont CommunicationsLake Country Internet
3 citiesLake Country Internet offers licensed fixed-wireless service in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 50 Mbps. It may work well for rural households and smaller homes needing web browsing, video calls, and moderate streaming, but availability and performance can vary by location; check your address and compare whether fiber, cable, or DSL options are available.
Lake Country InternetCox Communications
2 citiesCox Communications offers cable and fiber internet in approximately two North Carolina cities, covering about 4% of the state, with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. It may work well for households needing fast connections for streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple devices; check your address to see whether cable or fiber service is available, then compare plans and pricing before signing up.
View Cox Communications detailsGeorgia Windstream, LLC.
2 citiesGeorgia Windstream, LLC. provides copper-based internet service in approximately two North Carolina cities, covering about 4% of the state, with maximum speeds up to 200 Mbps. It may work well for households with moderate browsing, streaming, and work-from-home needs; check your address for available connection types and speeds, then confirm service availability before ordering.
Georgia Windstream, LLC.Satellite Options
Available statewide but typically slower and more expensive than wired alternatives. Best for rural areas without other options.
Starlink
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
HughesNet
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
Viasat Inc
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
Popular provider searches
Where to compare internet next in North Carolina
These links are ranked from local provider and speed data, so they point to the city and provider pages most likely to help with real availability questions.
Top city comparisons
- AT&T is generally best in Goldsboro, NC
- AT&T is generally best in Charlotte, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Raleigh, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Durham, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Cary, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Concord, NC
- AT&T is generally best in Gastonia, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Apex, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Huntersville, NC
- Google Fiber is your best bet in Chapel Hill, NC
Provider availability hubs
Common Questions
North Carolina Internet FAQs
How are North Carolina programs expanding broadband access?
North Carolina’s GREAT Grant program helps fund broadband construction in unserved areas, while the federal BEAD program supports larger-scale expansion. The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office administers these efforts and maintains mapping resources. Eligibility and project timing vary by location, so residents should check their county’s planned awards.
What rural internet options are available in North Carolina?
Rural North Carolinians may find fiber from local electric-cooperative initiatives, including Roanoke Electric Cooperative’s broadband efforts, or fixed wireless from regional providers. Satellite services such as Starlink can reach homes beyond wired networks, though equipment, congestion, weather, and data policies matter. Check GREAT-funded projects and ask whether construction is scheduled at your address.
Which fiber internet providers serve North Carolina?
Fiber availability is address-specific across North Carolina. Providers listed as offering fiber in the state include AT&T, Brightspeed, Optimum, Spectrum, and Windstream North Carolina, LLC. Coverage may differ between Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem, and some listed companies may use different technologies nearby, so verify the connection type directly.
Which North Carolina provider offers 10 Gbps internet?
InfinityLink Communications Inc. lists service reaching 10 Gbps in North Carolina. That speed is not statewide; availability depends on the company’s network and the service address. Before ordering, confirm whether 10 Gbps is offered at the premises, whether the connection is fiber, and the monthly price, installation charge, equipment requirements, and contract terms.
How can I compare North Carolina internet providers at a specific address?
Enter the complete street address into the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office map, the FCC National Broadband Map, and provider availability pages. Compare actual technology, advertised download and upload speeds, monthly price after promotions, installation fees, equipment charges, data limits, contract terms, and outage support. Call providers when maps disagree.